Former Liverpool midfielder agrees terms with Ajax over permanent move

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• EXCLUSIVE from Graeme Bailey

Sources have now confirmed to HITC Football that Jordan Henderson has agreed terms in principle with Ajax ahead of a move to the Dutch side.

As we revealed earlier this week – he and his representatives were talking with Al-Ettifaq – who are now close to agreeing to a parting of the ways with a mutual termination of his contract set to take place.

Jordan Henderson only moved to Al-Ettifaq last summer to play under Steven Gerrard but received a torrent of criticism due to his decision to move to the Middle East.

Henderson had interest from across Europe after making his feelings known about his future earlier this month and Ajax were one of the sides who made their intentions known about a deal and it now looks like they’ve got their man.

Henderson and Ajax

Since Henderson’s desire to leave Al-Ettifaq have been known, the English midfielder’s representatives have done their best to offer him around to some of Europe’s top sides.

Liverpool were one of the first to be offered the midfielder’s services ahead of a possible emotional return, as were a number of other Premier League sides.

Bayern Munich and Juventus were also offered the midfielder, as were Xabi Alonso’s Bayer Leverkusen but it is Ajax who have got their man.

Ajax had been pushing the hardest and are ready to hand Henderson a ‘multi-year’ deal and they feel he could be a catalyst for the club to return to the top of Dutch football.

It’s been a tough season for those at Ajax who are languishing in fifth place, 23 points behind league leaders PSV and they believe that the Englishman could be vital for their chances of progressing up the table.

Henderson’s desire to move

It’s also our understanding that former Liverpool midfielder Henderson met with Ettifaq boss Steven Gerrard and director Mark Allen – they both agreed he should be allowed to leave.

Despite the willingness to let the midfielder go, the final decision came down to President Samer Al-Misehal to sanction the exit who, after meeting Henderson, approved the deal.

There is hope from those at Ajax that the midfielder will be available this weekend for the Dutch giants and there are meetings today in England to thrash out the details of the deal.